WASHINGTON — President Trump said Friday he could very well spend election night at the White House — a sign of the ongoing pandemic and a contrast with the raucous Big Apple celebration he held in 2016.
“We haven’t made a determination. We have certain rules and regulations, you know, Washington, DC, is shut down,” he told reporters on his way to a trio of rallies in the swing states of Michigan, Wisconsin and Minnesota.
The nation’s capital is not shut down but indoor dining is only allowed at 50 percent capacity and gatherings of more than 50 people are prohibited — spiking the Trump campaign’s plans to have a celebration at Trump International Hotel.
“We have a hotel. I don’t know if it’s shut down, if you’re allowed to use it or not, but I know the mayor has shut down Washington, DC,” Trump continued.
“If that’s the case, we’ll probably stay here or pick another location,” he said.
The president’s son Eric Trump also confirmed Friday that the commander-in-chief was considering relocating his election night gathering to 1600 Pennsylvania Ave.
“No, we’re thinking about moving it, actually, over to the White House. We’re looking at that right now, and it’s going to be a great night,” he told “Fox & Friends.”
“It’s going to be a really, really beautiful night,” he went on.
The commander-in-chief had planned to make an appearance Tuesday evening at his Washington hotel, where an intimate group of close advisers, extended family and supporters are meant to gather.
But according to a New York Times report, that visit has been nixed due to multiple concerns about the gathering breaking local coronavirus restrictions.
Pundits are also expecting a close race, with Democratic nominee Joe Biden and Trump essentially tied in important battleground states, and an unprecedented number of mail-in ballots meaning it’s likely a clear victor won’t be known for several days.
It’s unclear where Biden will spend election night, but it’s highly likely he’ll stay near his hometown of Wilmington, Del., from where he has done much of his campaigning.
The 77-year-old former veep has also favored a very low-profile White House bid amid the pandemic, spending months sequestered in his basement.